By 
I recently came across one of my favorite physical books while decluttering and decided to give it a read, just to see if I was missing out on anything. Ever since I went paperless, I’ve heard countless times that physical books are better, so I thought I’d test that out. However, after just two sentences, I was convinced I made the right choice by going digital. I put the book aside and felt compelled to share four frustrations I have with reading and taking notes from physical books.
First off, getting a physical book, whether by purchasing it at a bookstore, borrowing it from a library, or ordering a hardcover online, requires too much effort. In contrast, buying a Kindle edition online is effortless—you can have any book you want with just a click, all from the comfort of your home. There’s no need to worry about books being out of stock or unavailable, and I certainly don’t miss those days.
Many people enjoy the tactile experience of turning pages and holding a book, but all I can think about is the space they take up on my desk, bookshelf, and around the house. My minimalist mindset naturally gravitates toward being paperless. The clutter that comes with hundreds of physical books is something I gladly avoid. My iPad Kindle app holds over ten books, yet it doesn’t take up any additional space no matter how many more I add. To me, that’s freedom—less tidying up and a happier life.
I love taking notes whenever I read. Whether it’s a novel where I’m learning new words or a nonfiction book that sparks ideas, interacting with digital books is so much easier. In the brief time I spent with the physical book, I quickly realized I couldn’t long-press to learn the meaning of a new word or jot down thoughts as I read. It made me wonder, what’s the point of reading if I can’t easily engage with the material? I couldn’t even copy a quote to share with a friend for further discussion. That was the moment I knew physical books just weren’t for me.
Since going paperless, I can’t recall ever forgetting important notes or books. That’s not to say I’ve never forgotten my devices—of course, I have, and there are times when I can’t bring them along. But when I need to check something, I can access my ebooks on any device I have with me, usually my phone. I love how Kindle syncs across all my devices, saving me from boredom during unexpected delays.
In conclusion, I don’t miss physical books or any of the experiences that come with them. I love ebooks, especially PDF textbooks that I can annotate without feeling guilty, unlike with physical textbooks. Maybe I’m missing something, but whatever it is, I’m perfectly content without it!
